Aga Khan’s 81st BirthdayMP Yasmin Ratansi (Don Valley East, ON) spoke of the Aga Khan’s 81st birthday and mentioned his several contributions to vulnerable populations around the world. She also brought to light his valuable investments in Canada, including the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto and the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa.

MP Arif Virani (Parkdale-High Park, ON) also made a statement about the Aga Khan’s 81st birthday and mentioned that the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community had a vital role in bringing Ugandan refugees to Canada during the time of Idi Amin. MP Virani highlighted that in recognition of his lifetime achievements, he was awarded with honorary citizenship in Canada.

Foreign Affairs: Rohingya Muslims in MyanmarMP Denis Paradis (Brome—Missisquoi, QC) rose in the House to voice the continuing plight of the Rohingya refugees and their severe circumstances. He asked for an update on the Myanmar crisis relief fund and the amount collected by Canada for this cause.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canadians had donated $12.5 million towards the Myanmar crisis relief fund and that the Government of Canada would match this amount. As a result of previous efforts and this most recent initiative, Canada’s overall contribution in 2017 would amount to $50 million for their partners in Myanmar and Bangladesh.